3rd Gen. Tacoma Problems ?

What are the pattern failures for 3rd Gen Tacoma's ? She wants me to buy a new Tacoma - I have a 2008 2.7 4X4 Stick - 134K - new frame - very well maintained - I'm a maintenance nut - all the usual problems like front wheel bearing are done so I don't feel there is any need to buy new - I know what the pattern failures are for 2nd Gen and have taken care of them - What pattern failures would I have to look forward to with a new Tacoma ? For instance - have they finally decided to coat the frames - I had a 2000 and have a 2008 both with rusted out frames - I would have thought after spending millions and millions on frame for the 2000's they would have done something - but no. Any reply, links or input appreciated. Thanks.

 

Take a look through the tsb tab. Idk about the 2.7 issues. Only v6. AC blower motor, clutch squeak in manuals, recently I've seen a couple timing cover leaks, rear diff howl, etc.. I've only had the squeaky clutch in my 18.

 

Thanks for the reply - did they fix the squeaky clutch ? Under Warranty - no cost 2 U ?

 

So far no problems. All i can tell you i test drove a 4 cylinder 2020 sr manual 4wd taco. I definitely would never own one....felt way too underpowered if wanting to tow or carry any loads. Imo, it could barely make it as a grocery getter. I'm not one thats feels its ok to wind the piss out of a 4 stroke motor every time to get where i'm going.

 

If you tow, be forwarned, Toyota has removed the aux trans cooler from the tow package. And they did same thing with Tundra. Duh!

 

No problems at all, 2018 TRD Spot! All complaints you will hear is people don’t understanding how the engine truly works and how it was intended to perform. Very minimal true complaints on this 3gen platform, its a solid truck!

 

OP, one thing you need to understand about Tacomaworld.. there are people who have legitimate issues, there are people who do seem to complain a lot, there are fanboys and then there are outright gas lighting ppl.
Somewhere in the middle there is a shit ton of good information. These trucks aren't perfect, and neither is any other vehicle for that matter. As someone else already pointed out, the sticky thread with the list of TSBs is probably a good place to start.
I'm on my 2nd 3rd gen V6 M/T, so I guess I'm a bit biased too lol.
Good luck!

 

Thanks !

 

"sticky thread with the list of TSBs" Thanks - going to check them out.

 

Anything to save a buck and a little weight for EPA ratings - nothing to do with the real world but it will give you another mod to do and a reason to have a beer on Saturday.

 

Thanks - I have a 2.7 4X4 now - I don't toe but I've hauled plenty of construction material and always have a lot of tools in the bed.

 

For real?

 

No doubt U R correct in some cases but "timing cover leaks, rear diff howl" have nothing to do with "understanding how the engine truly works " IMHO .

 

The rear diff is more than likely going to howl, you can chase it down and try to fix it, but it is what it is, I had a 2016 that howled, and now I have a 2020 that is doing the same thing. Some people like the auto trans some people hate it. It is quirky, the 2020 seems to be a bit better, but the quirkiness is not all together gone. At least on the 2 of them I have owned, the in town fuel mileage seems to be less on the 2020 so I would guess that may have something to do with the tuning of the trans trying to get the complaints down etc. There have been more and more timing cover leaks reported as the miles go up...it is an expensive repair 4K plus if you don't do it yourself. If mine starts to leak out of warranty, I'll just trade it. Other than some of those quirks I haven't really seen anything that gives me too much alarm yet. So far, I have not heard anyone having too much trouble with the rear diff, howling or not...so it is probably just a harmonic sound issue and not a problem with the diff itself. They do tend to eat bearings a bit, I had a front wheel bearing going out on the 2016 at 70K. Not too bad, but I haven't had bearing issues with the other trucks I have owned at that low of a mileage.

 

Yes clutch squeak was fixed under warranty.

 

Tacoma's R known for bad wheel bearings - I think I could do them in my sleep now - 4K for a known defect seems ridiculous - I'm leaning toward a no go just on that. Thanks.

 

When? My 2020 has one.

 

Even though there are over one million 3rd gens on the road now, they are only 5 years old. Typical mileage will be between 60-75K miles on most of those. In addition, 95% of them have been serviced at dealers or mechanic shops.
So, TSB's are your best bet to identify failures.
I have been here for awhile and not seen any typical failures yet. Items such as wheel bearing, CV joint, ADD failures, etc, are almost non existent considering the pool of vehicles out there.
Buy one (test drive test drive test drive) and enjoy.

 

Thanks

 

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